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Preview: Flames @ Stars

by
Staff Writer
/ Calgary Flames

FLAMES (21-22-3) at STARS (30-14-5)

TV: SNW, FS-SW (6:30 PM MT)

Season series: The Calgary Flames won the first two games against the Dallas Stars, including a 3-1 victory at American Airlines Center on Dec. 17. The Flames scored three straight goals in the third period of a 4-3 shootout win in Calgary on Dec. 1. Center Sean Monahan's three points (one goal) lead the Flames, and defenceman Dougie Hamilton has two goals. Defenceman Johnny Oduya's two points (one goal) lead the Stars.

Flames team scope: Calgary is 1-2-1 in its past four games after a 5-2 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Goalie Karri Ramo was pulled 3:50 into the second period after allowing three goals on 19 shots. "We were not ready. Plain and simple," coach Bob Hartley said after the game. "We had a few days over here (in Raleigh, N.C.) and we talked about it [Saturday], we talked about it this morning. But we just were not there. Plain and simple. You have to forget about it and the next day you start again. … We have to put it behind us. As much as we don't like it, we have another game [Monday] and we have a chance to redeem ourselves." Goalie Jonas Hiller might start Monday after he made 15 saves on 17 shots in 36:10 in relief of Ramo. Defenceman Mark Giordano has at least a point in nine of the past 10 games (one goal, 10 assists).

Stars team scope: Dallas is 1-4-1 in its past six games after a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Stars outshot "[Calgary is] very similar to Colorado," coach Lindy Ruff told the Stars website after practice Sunday. "We can dominate the shot clock and the possession time, but we've got to be careful giving up the rush opportunities, the same rush opportunities we gave up in Calgary. They've got some mobile defencemen that are always involved in the play, and that's typically the high-end chances they get." The Stars are 2-6-2 in January; in the 10 games, they have scored 22 goals (2.2 per game) and allowed 34 (3.4 per game). "We need more guys to dig in," Ruff said. "It might take a 1-0, 2-1 game. I know when our top guys are struggling to get on the board, it is hard to win games." Center Tyler Seguin was held without a point the past three games and in five of six.